Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1887-05-12
EX-GOVERNOR ST. JOHN
A Strong Letter Touching the
Question of Prohibition.
OLATHE. KAN, APRIL 16, 1887.

ss
OLATHE, KAN, APRIL 16, 1887.
Colonel r. B. Parrot, Waco, Texas:
My DEAR SIR: l will answer the
questions propounded to me in your
letter of the 18th inst in the order in
which they are presented.
1st. "Does prohibition prohibit
To which reply Eyes.
But prohibition does not entirely
suppress liquor-selling and dram drink
ing, although under our present law
it comes as near it as does our criminal
statute of suppressing murder, arson,
burglary, larceny and other crimes.
At no time since the adoption of pro-
hibition in Kansas, which took effect
May l, 1881, excepting two years reign,
covering Gov. Martins first term, under
an Infamous drug store law, recon-
mended by him, has prohibition in any
way been Failure" except in cases
where the officials willfull perjured
themselves in order to shield the illicit
llouor traffic, and even the obnoxious
drug store law, to which | have re-
ferred, was far superior, as temper
ance measure, to any system of license,
because it did away with the open sa-
looms, and public resort of dram drink
ing. feel sure that under our present
law, it will be conceded be all fair
minded citizens of Kansas that there is
not tenth as much drinking and
drunkennessin proportion to population
as existed under our old license sys-
tenn. SO wonderful has been the
growth of prohibition sentiment in our
state that even our governor, John A.
Martin, who bitterly opposed the adj
option Of the prohibitory amendment to
our state constitution, fully realizing
that it meant political death to longer
stand in the way of the determination
of the people to over throw the liquor
traffic, in his last biennial message said
''There is not IAN observing man in the
state, who does not know that great
reform has been accomplishment Kansas
by prohibition. THERE'S not truthful
man in the state, who will not frankly
acknowledge this fact, no matter what
his opinions touching the policy of pro
hibition may have been.
2. 'What effect on values?
Answer.-In 1880, the last year Of
licensed saloons in Kansas, the assessed
valuation of all taxable property in the
state was s16O,57O, 761. 43, with 8
total population of 996,096; while
under the good influences Of six years
of prohibition the population increased
to l, 400, 73S and assessed valuation
of taxable property for 1886 was s277,
$50, O63.S9 and the real value is not
less than billion of dollars.
| B. "What effect on population?"
RepIy-An increase up to March 1
1886, of 40, 642; estimated from March
/, 1886 to date, not less than 100, 600
Total increase, $40, 642. The total pop
ulation now is 1,5O6,73S. There is not
brewer, distiller or saloon keeper in all
the above increase.
| 4, "What effect on general welfare
and habits of the people?"
The effect has been very beneficial
| saw more drunk men in one day in In
dianapolis, Ind, under high license,
two weeks ago, than have seen in Kan
sas under prohibition, In five years
Prohibition has greatly increased the
wealth, happiness, peace and general
prosperity of the people of Kansas,
as it will the people of Texas, if they
will only give it chance to do SO.
| FTexas saloons are morally right and
are beneficial to the people, they ought
to be placed on an equal footing with
every other rightful and beneficial bus
| mess
If they are wrong, no amount OF
money in the sight of God, can evel
make them right, and they ought to be,
and [ believe there is manhood enough
in Texas to forever suppress them
May God help you in your struggles
Very truly.
JOHN P. ST. JOHN.